did I miss a place to donate?   Lawrence  please keep going.  The man who started " America's most wanted" did it for much the same reasons that drive you forward.  His son had been taken from him by a horrible act of crime.  You can save other jws children's lives.It wont' bring Bethany back but it will give your life purpose and provide release of grief.There should be donate buttons on all x-jws sites to help Lawrence.  He is fighting for our family members who are still in this cult.

 God bless you Lawrence, I hope and pray you succeed .  It just takes one motivated person to make something happen. Ask the man who started " Americans most wanted" , He knows how you feel.

There should be donate buttons on all x-jws sites to help Lawrence.

I agree with this . . . there will be those who wish to support from all over the world . . . this case needs all the support it can possibly get . . . there is much at stake and everything to gain here

Thanks for answering my questions Lawrence. I'm so glad the judges' panel asked the lawyers' searching questions around the issue of "consent". Too often the Watchtower couches its commentary on blood around the individual's right, ignoring the fact that the elders and others are often hovering around closely to see what the individual is choosing. All the very best.

http://watchtowerlawsuit.com/id110.html

 this appears to be the website and on the left side there is a way to donate, including pay pal.

Child Welfare League of Canada would be liable as well unless the 16 year old was recognized by the medical practitioners as an adult when she made her decision about receiving blood.

Health care in Canada is delivered through a publicly-funded health care system, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities. It is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act. The government assures the quality of care through federal standards. It doesn't make any sense for Canada's government run healthcare system to allow a person to legally refuse blood and then sue a "guilty" party. The Canadian government would be liable for cooperating with the 3rd party. They would simply incorporate into their healthcare system policies that a person can't refuse blood for religious or personal reasons. Blood has been forced on people in the US, so such a tactic would be nothing new.

oh maze, you thread killer you.. muahhaha.. /me runs.

It doesn't make any sense for Canada's government run healthcare system to allow a person to legally

refuse blood and then sue a "guilty" party.

"Sense" is very much a matter of perspective and can be very elastic. For example, while most JWs would consider JW Maze's participation on an anti-JW forum nonsensical and even dangerous, Maze doesn't hold the same "sense". Equally, just as The Watchtower Society has questioned conventional "sense" and had their "rights" championed by the Supreme Court, let's allow the Courts to address this issue and deliver a verdict.

Although Canada and the U.S. have different rules concerning contingencies, lawyers in the U.S. don't gamble with their time. They want easily proven liability and, almost more importantly, damages from which to garner a fee. I had personal problems finding a lawyer to take a case where the liability was clear but the damages uncertain. When I practiced at a large NY law firm, all these very wealthy people had the firm on retainer. If someone looked at them cross-eyed, they had a lawyer call. It makes a big difference. I can't find someone to do minor legal work b/c they want a fat check. A lot of small work aggregates to a large one.

This case is so distressing. I don't have time now to read the articles. How did your wife have the power to decide treatment or was your daughter old enough to decide? I am shocked b/c the WTBTS has decent lawyers. Prescribing arsenic as a cure sounds like an engraved invitation with a horse drawn carriage for a massive lawsuit. Also, how is a poison palliative? Does it bring relief from pain?

I expect I would lose my mind. In the US, parties can be assessed costs for frivolous law suits but it is very hard to prove frivollity. The system is so draining.

I know basic law in so many areas. When I broke my ankle, I knew I had a some negligence claim. I travelled from law firm to law firm and they made me feel as though I never attended law school. I look for negligence first and then think of damages. They see damages first and if large enough, will find liability. Time and time again I can't find a lawyer when I know if I had a trust fund, the best lawyers would be committed to my rights. It strikes me that lawyers no longer assert rights and claims. Rather, they are business people. The sense of  a profession is vanishing.

Interesting post Steve . . .

I noticed in the abstract summary that apart from bone marrow, hepatic and renal function results, no comment is made on other hematic changes ie; red blood cell changes.  This appears to have been at the centre of Bethany's complications.  Any information on this aspect you are aware of?

hi Lawrence

great news.  I'd also like to see the newspaper report you mention as I want to show it to a family member.  Is there a link please.

I'm just realising those articles may not be available online anymore. However, I'm sure you must have kept copies for the files you have been putting together to organise the facets of the case. If you could scan and post them, that would be greatly appreciated. Like Curtains, there are some people I'd like to share them with, too.

(Lawrence is past his newbie posting limit, so we may have to wait awhile).

Thought you  might like to know that Lawrence's legal bills are huge and he has been handling most of it himself along with contributions from many wonderful people during the past nine years. However, the well is getting dry, so if anybody can see their way possible to help out, it would be appreciated so much.

If many of us sent just a little, his next court bill for a a couple of thousand will be paid. The Calgary economy is getting better and Lawrence, who has been out of work, expects to be working again very soon. (He's an architect supervisor.) He hates to ask especially since this case has been going on for so many years and some people are quite critical that he took this on without lots of money in the bank. But he did it, and has been successful in a number of very important areas. Personally, we think that just the media coverage informing the Canadian people about WT's horrific blood policy resulting in so many needless deaths has been worth all the money that has been spent.

Sincerely,

Barbara and Joe Anderson 

Worth repeating: 

Thought you might like to know that Lawrence's legal bills are huge and he has been handling most of it himself along with contributions from many wonderful people during the past nine years. However, the well is getting dry, so if anybody can see their way possible to help out, it would be appreciated so much.

Thank you Lawrence.  Your cause is our cause!

Hi Juan,

When I tried to open the PM there was an error message.  You can email me at watchtowerlawsuit@yahoo.com

Hi Nickolas,

After I scan the newspaper article, how do I paste it onto this thread?

Hi Band on the Run,

I have had similar difficulties finding a lawyer.  Most firms I went too wanted about $50,000 to do a risk assessment to determine whether the odds were in their favour to win. That does not mean that they will actually take the case but that it will cost $50,000 to find out. That is with me paying them by the hour if they decide to take the case. I don't see what risk there is for them.  I agree that if I had a big fat trust fund or a suitcase full of money that I would have no problem finding a lawyer.

Lawrence

Billable hours are everything. It is very sophisticated. In real life, they want total horror stories. The firm is risking capital and turning down other cases. If they don't get an award, they receive nothing. If cases were so clear cut, parties would just settle.

I've seen how lawyers can be powerful counselors and advocates. Recently, I had a health insurance premium problem. Contract law was not on my side but I knew from practice that public opinion and discretion can work wonders in addition to the law. The lawyer I sought could not be bothered to draft a letter I needed. She refused to make a few three minute phone calls. It appalled me. I know the law and I've seen its majesty when both parties have money. People who don't know must get trampled. Money makes money.

Justice only exists when both sides are in equal bargaining positions. It wasn't always this way in America. Lawyers made good, middle class money. Someow the market became red hot and money changed the tone. It was one a gentlemen's profession. Now it is an industry.

I offer a few corrections to Maze’s comments. Health care is a provincial responsibility. The Federal government has sponsored publicly funded health care, which it achieves by offering transfer payments to the provinces. It may withdraw funds if the province strays too far from Federal intent.

Quality of care? There are federal, provincial, and professional standards of care.

Who is suing whom? Lawrence Hughes is representing the estate of Bethany Hughes. I imagine the argument is that Bethany was poorly informed of her options, so could not have given informed consent. I believe the Watchtower Society, the provincial health authority, the Cross Cancer Institute here in Edmonton, and Bethany’s assigned doctors will all be named in the suit.

When Bethany was first diagnosed as a minor, temporary custody was granted to Children’s Services, and blood transfusions were administered. A minor cannot give informed consent. As Bethany’s illness progressed, her status changed to “mature minor” and she was allowed to make her own choices regarding her health care. She chose the treatment spoken of by Lawrence Hughes, and refused any more blood transfusions. She died.

I've gone to source, and the only court of appeal document I can find was in May 2009. If I get the points right, Lawrence Hughes cannot introduce fresh evidence, and this appeal was dismissed. http://www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/2003-/ca/civil/2009/2009abca0187.pdf